Afghanistan: Multiple rockets hit Kabul as security forces, militants clash
What's the story
Multiple rockets were fired toward the Presidential Palace in the diplomatic area of the Afghan capital, Kabul, early today, as officials said fighting had broken out between security forces and militants in the capital city's old quarter.
It wasn't immediately clear who was responsible for the attack, which came just days after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani offered the Taliban a three-month ceasefire.
Here's more.
Details
Two people have been wounded in the battle: Interior ministry
"This morning a group of terrorists took over a building in Reka Khana and fired several rockets towards Kabul. Two people have been wounded," Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danish said.
Military helicopters were firing above the Eidgah Mosque in Reka Khana district, where smoke was rising as police and Interior Ministry said clashes were underway, amid a heavy security presence near the Kabul Stadium.
Ceasefire
Casualties have not been confirmed yet
Kabul police spokesman Hashmat Stanikzai confirmed that fighting was underway near the mosque, and said he could not confirm casualties yet.
"Police have cordoned off the area," he said.
Ghani unveiled the government's latest ceasefire gambit during an Independence Day address late Sunday, saying security forces would observe the truce beginning this week but only if the militants reciprocated.
Violence
Ghazni suffered a massive attack by Taliban earlier this month
The truce offer was welcomed by the United States and NATO after nearly 17 years of war, but the Taliban have yet to respond.
The move followed an extraordinarily violent week in Afghanistan that saw Taliban storm the provincial capital of Ghazni and also press the fight against security forces across the country, with estimates suggesting hundreds of people may have been killed.